S.C. Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom is privately “livid” with Lt. Governor Andre Bauer after the latter attempted to swipe the former’s transparency mantle last week.
Meanwhile, Bauer’s office is working diligently to undermine Eckstrom’s credibility while seeking to elevate the Lite gov’s stature in the debate.
Sources close to both politicians have confirmed there is indeed bad blood over last week’s claim by Bauer that Eckstrom was “embracing (his) initiative” on government transparency.
Never mind that as far as public perception is concerned, the issued is owned by Rep. Nikki Haley.
“Andre was the first to put his checkbook online,” one Bauer confidant told FITS. “What is (Eckstrom) is whining about?”
Both sides are also questioning each other’s methodology in tracking and publishing South Carolina’s expenses, with Bauer’s camp claiming that their system provides a better record of where tax dollars are going.
Bauer – who is obviously seeking to capitalize on a popular issue as he contemplates his 2010 gubernatorial bid – is also reportedly livid at S.C. governor Mark Sanford, who last week named Eckstrom as his “Stimulus Watchdog.”
Stay tuned … we’re hearing this could be the beginning of a real rift between Bauer and Eckstrom, who are both managed by the same consultant.
Either that or Rod Shealy has engineered some convincing political theater.
By nice March 17, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Rod would throw his own kids under the bus.
By fitsnews March 17, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Nice-
Don’t you think that’s sort of what’s happening here?
We just have to figure out which kid.
-FITS
By Harrison March 17, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Politics at its best. A year ago no one wanted to touch transparency or voting on the record. Now everyone wants to claim it as their own. These guys need to be commended for stepping up and joining the wagon and remember this was made on the political sacrifices of others. I still am confused that no one has acknowledged how that was handled in the House.
By ot March 17, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I think “Nice” was referring to RJ who works in Eckstrom’s office
By Stinkbait March 17, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Geeeeezus!!! Andre, ZoomZoom, Bauer & Richard, VanTooFar, Ekstrom squabbling over cred is about like Janet Reno & Donna Shelala standing together buck nekkit & asking, “Mirror Mirror on the wall…..?”
By BIN News Editorial Staff March 17, 2009 at 8:10 pm
ot,
You’re saying RJ is working for Mr. Eckstrom? Could it be? :)
That’s such a (not) surprise! The off thing is sic(k) willie has known that for weeks but has not out’ed him. Why not, sic(k)one ??
The BIN News Editorial Staff is certain if RJ is working for Mr. Eckstrom’s office in any capacity (you know, employee, coffee-boy, consultant, lapdog) there will be a monthly “transparency document” posted showing salary and benefits or at least his consulting fee.
And, maybe showing what he is doing to earn our taxpayer dollars.
RJ? You have any thoughts on this? We see you watching.
BIN News Editorial Staff
Flair and Balanced
By anonymous March 17, 2009 at 8:39 pm
SCDP Rejects Mark Sanford’s Appointment of Richard Eckstrom to Oversee Spending of Stimulus Funds
SCDP Chair Responds to Sanford Appointment
March 12, 2009
SCDP Chair Responds to Sanford Appointment
Carol Fowler, chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, issued the following statement today in response to Gov. Mark Sanford’s appointment of Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom to oversee spending of federal money:
“South Carolinians have a right to expect careful scrutiny of spending from the federal economic stimulus plan. However, Gov. Mark Sanford’s choice of Richard Eckstrom for this task shows remarkably bad judgment.
“Mr. Eckstrom himself has been a terrible steward of taxpayer dollars. He has a history of improper behavior for which South Carolina’s citizens had to pay: he misused a state vehicle and he used state dollars to settle a sexual harassment suit against himself.”
In 2004, Eckstrom took a state-issued minivan on a 3,615-mile trip to Minnesota and charged $665 on a state-issued gas card along the way. Only when the media caught Eckstrom and broke the story in late September 2006 did he repay the illegal charges. In 1997, Eckstrom faced sexual harassment allegations and used $57,500 of state funds to pay for a legal settlement.
South Carolina Democratic Party
PRESS RELEASE:
http://schotlinepress.wordpress.com/
By ts March 17, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Anonymous-I mean Jeffrey-why are you doing this? It’s sad-I mean ‘sa-ad.’
Two syllables. Like they say it in South Carolina.
By Philip Branton March 17, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Citizens …this is just spin…..
Put yourself in Marks shoes……
Who has consistently supported him….WHO? Now he makes a stand and how does it play out….? What does OBAMA …want??? He sure doesn’t want a more powerful…CLYBURN..?? Right? What does MARK want…not ANY of the mentioned playerz..?? He will pick a political WILDCARD because he knows what is coming down the TRACKs in 2010 and needz to show OBAMA he has GUTz….!! He doesn’t care for what he sees and knows he won’t have support either way….SO how does HE win…!?! He beams up SCOTTY…!!!
By Pres March 18, 2009 at 12:07 am
Its common knowledge that RJ works for Eckstrom. RJ’s office is at Columbia Business Equipment on Old Bush River Rd. He has been a major contributor to Eckstrom getting all of the press he gets.
By Swing Daddy March 18, 2009 at 8:21 am
Pres, Rod Jr works for Eckstrom.
By BIN News Editorial Staff March 18, 2009 at 10:20 pm
RJ,
The spotlight is on you. Comment! We know you blog every day. You know we know and you know you’ve been out’ed. Damage control. Transparency! Transparency!
Post your fees. Post what you are doing.
Facts. Details. Before your boss gets embarrassed.
We all wonder why sic(k) willie has been sitting on this?
sic(k) willie has known from the beginning, but never shared it.
sic(k) willie the “mutant organism.” Blogging like a “sprayed roach.”
Bob really rocks!
BIN News Editorial Staff
Flair and Balanced
Pingback: Sure…NOW transparency is all the rage : Nathan Ballentine
By Tom Pelican February 18, 2010 at 2:36 pm
In Eckstrom’s last election he said the finacnes of state government were too complicated for the South Carolina citizen to understand, and he would not do it. So I guess he has dumbed it up so we can understand it now. Now he is going to dumb up the stimulus report so we will all be able to understand it, and this will all be in the name of transparency.
We all know how transparent he is, or is it that he is just not smart enough to get away with his hypocrisy?